Interlocking mechanism for a dual rocker-button actuated electric multi-switch



c. 1. CARLING 3,225,153 HANISM FOR A KER-BUTTON -SWITCH Dec. 21, 1965 INTERLOCKING MEG DUAL ROC ACTUATED ELECTRIC MULTI 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1963 6 E n W Z M NW N W. 4 4 V 4 4 W. v 4 1 4 W 0 H I l 4 w: 9 w 9 62 N 3 w 21? im 9 fi m -4 a 42 W 1 WfliW/ 5 W 6 MM i 1 6 l a 7 m 0 a .5 Z i M XTT RNEY 1965 c. 1. CARLING 3,225,153

INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR A DUAL ROCKER-BUTTON ACTUATED ELECTRIC MULTI-SWII'CH Filed June 28, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. av/e40 (2w; m/q

BY be; ATT ORNEY Dec. 21, 1965 c. 1. CARLING 3,225,153

INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR A DUAL ROCKER-BUTTON ACTUATED ELECTRIC MULTI-SWITCH Filed June 28, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 T1 :VIE:

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- llllllllllllllllll W 32 I 2i 2 4 i INVENTOR. 4 Mi S W M 2 (bNP140Z64/QL/N I Y \\\\\W\\\\\\\\ a 22 5 6 03 4 99 55 a ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,225,153 INTERLOQKING MECHANISM FGR A DUAL ROCKER-BUTTON ACTUATED ELECTRIG MULTI-SWITCH Conrad I. Carling, Hartford, Conn., assignor to Carling Electric, Inc West Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed June 23, 1963, Ser. No. 291,469 3 Claims. (Cl. 200-50) This invention relates generally to selector switches and more particularly to a dual button switch controlling four electrical circuits and operable automatically to open the circuit of a previously closed circuit when another selected circuit is to be closed.

The device herein comprises a pair of three-position, center-01f pivotable buttons on a switch assembly and having a common pivot axis, each of the buttons selectively controlling a pair of electrical circuits. One of the special purposes for which the switch assembly of the present invention is particularly useful is the automatic opening of a circuit previously closed by one button when another circuit operated by the other button is to be closed. Means are provided on the switch assembly for producing the automatic opening of the previously closed circuit, either when the new circuit to be closed is on the same side of the pivot axis, or when it is on the opposite side of the pivot axis.

The novel automatic circuit opening means described hereinafter are simply and economically fabricated and are readily combined with switch. assemblies having standardized parts, such as contacts, circuit levers, cases, and switch actuators. The automatic elements that are operative to perform the foregoing functions comprise a pair of pivot return levers that are actuated by the movement of either of the buttons to produce the return movement of the other button on the same side of the pivot axis, while interacting elements are provided on the buttons themselves to produce the return movement of one button when the other is actuated on the opposite side of the pivot axis.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the specification.

The features of novelty which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth herein and will best be understood, both as to their fundamental principles and as to their particular embodiments, by reference to the specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the dual button switch of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarge-d partial section view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a View similar to FIG. 2, with one of the actuator buttons pivotally moved to a circuit closing position, some parts being shown in dotted outline;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevation view of the dual button and return mechanism, the front button being partly broken away to reveal a portion of the rear button;

FIG. 5 is a right end view, partly broken away, of the elements shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 with the front button having been moved pivotally by the depression of its right end while the rear button remains stationary;

FIGS. 8 and 9 indicate the manner by which the depression of the right end of the rear button returns the front button from its previous position in FIG. 6 to a neutral 01? position;

FIGS. 10 and 11 indicate the manner in which the depression of the left end of the rear button from its position in FIG. 6 brings about the return of the front button from its on position in FIG. 6 to an off position, FIG. 11 also being shown partially broken away and in section taken on line 1111 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the front button, some parts being in section and some parts being broken away;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view of the rear button;

FIG. 14 is a section View taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the elements shown in FIG. 2, some parts being in section and others broken away;

FIG. 16 is a partial section view, some parts being omitted, taken on line 16-46 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 17 is a partial section view taken on line 1717 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the switch of the present invention comprises a case, generally designated 21, formed or molded of a suitable insulating material such as Bakelite, nylon, or the like, as shown in FIG. 1. Case 21 comprises a pair of side walls 22 and 23 and a pair of end walls 24 and 25 all of which are bounded on the bottom by floor 27. Extending intermediate walls 22 and 23 and from end wall 24 to end wall 25 is an integrally formed partition 28 having a concave top edge. Partition 28, which is also bounded by floor 27, divides the interior of case 21 into two separate circuit selector chambers 31 and 32 in which separate sets of contact elements and corresponding contact levers are located. See also FIGS. 14 and 17.

Extending through floor 27 of case 21, in each chamber 31 and 32 are respective pairs of spaced apart electrically conductive studs 33 and 34. The upper ends of studs 33 and 34 have integrally formed contact heads 36, 36' and 37, 37, respectively. The lower ends of studs 33 and 34 terminate in rivet heads 33 and 39, respectively, each of which secures a respective electrically conductive bracket 41 and 42 to the bottom of floor 27. Brackets 41 and 42 have downwardly extending integrally formed terminal lugs 43, 43 and 44, 44, respectively.

Also extending through floor 27 intermediate each pair of studs 33 and 34 are electrically conductive studs 46, 46', each of which has an integral rivet head 47, 47. FIGS. 2, 3 and 14. Secured by each rivet head 47, 47 to floor 27 is an electrically conductive yoke 48, which has a pair of integrally formed, spaced apart, upwardly extending arms 51 and 52. Arms 51 and 52 each have a pair of upwardly extending spaced apart fingers 53, 53' and 54, 54' which bound horizontal shoulders 56, 56' and 57, 57', respectively, whose function will be described hereinafter. See also FIG. 17.

The bottom of each stud 46 terminates in an integrally formed rivet head 58 which secures an electrically conductive bracket 59 to the bottom of floor 27. Bracket 59 has an integrally formed downwardly extending terminal lug 61.

Terminal lugs 4-3 and 44 are each connectable to separate respective circuits, while terminal lug 61 is connectable to a return or power line common to both of said circuits.

Positioned across the open top of case 21 is a cover plate 63 made of a deformable sheet metal stamping or the like. Integrally formed at each end of plate 63 is a pair of downwardly extending spaced apart legs 64, each of which terminates in a hook 66 bent inwardly and upwardly to engage a spur 67 integrally formed in each end wall 24 and 25 for retaining said place securely in position. Integrally formed at each end of plate 63 intermediate the upper ends of legs 64 are outwardly extending arms C9 68 which serve as means for mounting the switch assembly in a suitable operating location.

Ir'itegrally formed on plate 63 is a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending brackets 69 in each of which is mounted a respective pivot pin 71. Pivotally mounted on each pin 71 is a button return level 72, made of sheet metal or the like, having a pair of arms 73 and 74 extend iiig laterally in opposite directions. In some embodiments a spring washer 76 or resilient O-ring may be mounted on each pivot pin 71 to provide a modicum of frictional restriction upon the movement of lever 72. Integrally formed at the end portions of arms 73 and 74 are sidewardly extending fingers 77 and 78, respectively. FIGS. 2, 3, 5,7, 9 and 11.

In the drawings, the right hand lever and its parts are identified with plain numbers while the left hand lever is designated by the reference numeral 72a, having arms 73a and 74a, the latter being provided with integral sidewardly extending fingers 77a and 780, respectively.

Each longitudinal side of plate 63 has an integrally formed upwardly extending support element 81 of triangular shape, each of said elements having an aperture near its apex for supporting the opposite ends of pivot pin 82. Pivotally mounted side by side on pin 82 are two separately operated actuator buttons 83 and 84, molded or otherwise formed of a suitable a insulating material such as Bakelite, nylon, or the like. Buttons 83 and 84, which are identical in shape, have intersecting actuator flats 85 and 86 which are arrayed at an obtuse angle in respect of each other and which terminate in downwardly curving bows 87 and 88, respectively. Buttons 83 and 84 have respective front walls 91 and 92 and respective rear walls 93 and 94, said walls being integrally formed with flats 85 and 86 and bows 87 and 88 of the respective buttons.

In the drawings the flats on top of rear button 84 are designated 85a and 86a, respectively, while the bows on said button are designated 87a and 88a, respectively.

Buttons 83 and 84 each have an integral downwardly extending stubs 96 and 97, respectively, the lower portions of which extend freely through and move laterally back and forth within the central aperture in mounting plate 63 and within the interior of case 21. The lower end portions of stubs 96 and 97 are movable within chambers 31 and 32, respectively. 7

Each stub 96 and 97 has a longitudinal aperture 98, 98, each of which accommodates a respective spring 99, 99. Movable slidably and longitudinally within each aperture 98, 98' is a nib 101, 101' which has a recess 102 occommodating the lower end of respective spring 99, 99'. Springs 99, 99' normally urge nibs 101, 101' downwardly.

Positioned freely upon shoulders 56 and 57 of yokes 48 are respective V-shaped electrically conductive contact levers 103 and 104, having oppositely extending arms 105, 105 and 106, 106 the outer ends of which are adapted to selectively and alternatively close the electrical circuit between contact heads 36 and 37, respectively, and yoke 48. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 14, when buttons 83 and 84 are in their central positions, nibs 101, 101 are urged downwardly into the apices of levers 103, and 104 which rest upon both respective shoulders 56, 56' and 57, 57' in a position where both contact arms 105, 105' and 106, 106' are spaced apart from respective contact heads 36 and 37.

When button 83 is moved pivotally by depressing 'flat 86 downwardly, to cause stud 96 to move to the left as shown in FIG. 3, nib 101 rides along the top of contact lever arm 105 to cause lever 103 to pivot upon shoulder 56 and to bring said arm into circuit closing position with contact head 36 while lever arm 106 is still spaced apart from contact head 37. In this position the circuit connected to terminal lugs 43 and 61 underneath chamber 31 is closed. Alternatively, when button 83 is tipped in the opposite direction by depressing flat 85, it is manifest that contact lever arm 106 is brought into circuit closing position with contact head 37 whereby the previously closed circuit is opened and the circuit connected to terminal lugs 44 and 61 underneath chamber 31 is closed.

The same action described hereinbefore for the operation of front button 83 also obtains for the operation of rear button 84 whereby the latter selectively controls two circuits to which terminal lugs 43 and 44 underneath chamber 32, are respectively connected, terminal lug 61 therebetween serving as the common power line terminal for each of said circuits. Thus buttons 83 and 84 selectively control four separate circuits depending upon which direction any single button is actuated.

Where, as here, there is a plurality of circuits controlled by a single switch assembly, it is described in certain contexts that only one of said circuits be in a closed position while all the others are in the open condition, so that none of the circuits interfere with each other. Hence, the present invention is directed to a system and construction whereby the operation of closing any one circuit by either of buttons 83 or 84, all other circuits will be open.

This result is accomplished by providing for the two pivoting lever return elements 72 mounted upon cover plate 63 as described hereinbefore. Furthermore, rear wall 92 of front button 83 has a pair of generally vertical openings or cut out recesses 111 and 112 on opposite sides of pin 82, while front wall 93 of rear button 84 facing rear wall 92 has a pair of spaced apart integrally formed toes 113 and 114 which are located in respective cooperating positions with recesses 111 and 112. See FIGS.

1 2,3,11,12,13,15 and 16.

The sidewardly extending fingers 77 and 78 are located underneath the bot-tom edges of respective bows 88 and 88a while sidewardly extending fingers 77a and 7812 are located below the bottom edges of respective bows 87 and 87a. When buttons 83 and 84 are both in the center-off position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 14, for example, said fingers are normally spaced apart from the edges of their respective adjacent bows.

When flat 86 of button 83 is depressed as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the lower edge of bow 88 urges finger 77 downwardly to cause lever 72 to move pivotally. Notwithstanding this pivoting motion of lever 72, finger 78 may reach and possibly touch the lower edge of how 88a, but rear button 84 remains undisturbed in its centerolf position. During this action, front button 83 has caused its contact lever 103 to move pivotally whereby contact arm 105 establishes electrical connection with contact head 36 within chamber 31, thereby closing the circuit between terminals 43 and 61 underneath said chamber. This is the sole circuit that is closed while the other three circuits controlled by the switch assembly remain in the open circuit condition.

When flat 86a of rear button 84 is depressed, the bottom edge of bow 88a urges finger 78 downwardly to cause return lever 72 to move pivotally whereby the corresponding upward movement of finger 77, urged against the bottom edge of how 88, moves the latter upwardly and restores front button 83 to its center-01f position. See FIGS. 8 and 9.

By this action the circuit previously closed by front button 83 is automatically opened while the circuit con-- nected to terminals 43 and 61 beneath chamber 32 is now closed.

The reverse in closing and opening of circuitry ob-- tains when flat 86a of rear button 84 is first depressed after which flat 86 of front button 83 is depressed.

When flats and 85a of front button 83 and rear button 84, respctively, are alternatively depressed, the circuits connected to terminals 44 and 61 underneath chamber 31 and 32, respectively, are closed and opened in the same manner as described for the circuits connected to terminals 43 and 61 underneath said respective chambers. When flats 85 and 85a are manipulated, bows 87 and 87a cooperate with return lever 72a and its respective fingers 77a and 78a. The lengths of levers 72 and 72a and the location of their respective fingers 77,

78 and 77a, 78a are determined in relation to the bottom edges of respective bows 88, 88a and 87 and 87a Whereby the depression of a selected flat on one button to close a circuit will automatically restore the other button, Whose adjacent flat has been previously depressed, to the open circuit position.

When, however, the buttons are in the condition as shown in FIG. 3, for example, and it is desired to depress fiat 85a of rear button 84 toclose the circuit between terminals 43 and 61 underneath chamber 32, neither return lever 72 or 72a is brought into operation. Nevertheless, upon depression of flat 85a to close the circuit controlled thereby, the action of toe 114 bearing against the upper end of recess 112 urges front button 83 back to its neutral center-off position as shown in FIGS. and 11. Manifestly, the converse action obtains when the buttons are in positions opposite those shown in FIG. 3, whereby toe 113 interacts with the upper end of re cess 111.

When either button 83 or 84 is in a circuit closing position where one of its flats is depressed, it can be restored to a neutral center-off condition by depressing its other flat gently without urging the lever downwardly completely. This operation can be accomplished by the tactile sense responsive to the indexing action produced by respective nib 101 being urged by spring 99 into the apex of its corresponding contact lever.

It is claimed:

1. A switch comprising a case, a first pair of spaced apart contacts in said case, a second pair of spaced apart contacts in said case, said second pair being arrayed subtantially parallel to said first pair, a first switch lever in said case operable in opposite directions from a centerotf position to establish electrical connection alternatively with either one of said first pair of contacts, a second switch lever in said case operable in opposite directions from a center-01f position to establish electrical connection alternatively with either one of said second pair of contacts, a first button pivotally mounted on said case and operative on said first lever, a second button pivotally mounted on said case and operativeon said second lever, both of said buttons being substantially parallel to each other and pivotable in opposite directions from a centeroff position, a pair of spaced apart projections on one of said =buttons, said projections being disposed on opposite sides of the pivot point of said button, said projections cooperating wtih said second button when either button has previously been pivotally depressed at one end to return said button to its center-off position when the other button is pivotally depressed at an opposite end.

2. A switch comprising a case, first and second switch buttons mounted pivotally side by side on said case, each button being pivotable on a common pivot axis from a center-off position alternatively into either of two opposite circuit closing positions, a pair of spaced apart projections on said first button, said projections being disposed at opposite sides of the pivot axis of said button, one of said projections engaging a corresponding edge of said second button when a first selected one of said two buttons has previously been pivoted in one direction to a circuit closing position and the other button is then pivoted in the opposite direction into a circuit closing position to cause the first selected button to return to its center-off position.

3. A switch according to claim 2 and further comprising first and second pivot levers mounted on said case, each of said levers having a pair of oppositely extending arms, the arms of one of said levers being engageable by respective adjacent end portions of said first and second buttons, the arms of said second lever being engageable by the other respective adjacent end portions of said first and second buttons, the depression of the end of a first selected button from its center-oft position to a circuit closing position operating to depress the corresponding arm of an adjacent lever and to cause the other arm of said lever to raise the adjacent end of the other button from a previously depressed circuit closing position to its center-off position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,044,399 1'1/1912 Lebby 200 X 2,927,983 3/1960 Brown 20067 3,071,659 1/1963 Kimball 20067 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,138,450 10/ 19 62 Germany.

KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner. ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner. 

2. A SWITCH COMPRISING A CASE, FIRST AND SECOND SWITCH BUTTONS MOUNTED PIVOTALLY SIDE BY SIDE ON SAID CASE, EACH BUTTON BEING PIVOTABLE ON A COMMON PIVOT AXIS FROM A CENTER-OFF POSITION ALTERNATIVELY INTO EITHER OF TWO OPPOSITE CIRCUIT CLOSING POSITIONS, A PAIR OF SPACED APART PROJECTIONS ON SAID FIRST BUTTON, SAID PROJECTIONS BEING DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE PIVOT AXIS OF SAID BUTTON, ONE OF SAID PROJECTIONS ENGAGING A CORRESPONDING EDGE OF SAID SECOND BUTTON WHEN A FIRST SELECTED ONE OF SAID TWO BUTTON HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN PIVOTED IN ONE DIRECTION TO ACIRCUIT CLOSING POSITION AND THE OTHER BUTTON IS THEN PIVOTED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INTO A CIRCUIT CLOSING POSITION TO CAUSE THE FIRST SELECTED BUTTON TO RETURN TO ITS CENTER-OFF POSITION. 